Bismarck weekly tribune., 1887-09-30
IN SHROUDS OF SNOW.
THE STRANGE SIGHT A SQUADRON
or CAVALRY. SAW.

THE STRANGE SIGHT A SQUADRON
OF CAVALRY SAW.
Eight Savages Sitting Stir and Dead rs
f cember Day-Braves Caught by Bliz-
zard. ~ 81.
It was strange sight they saw-a squadron
Of cav airy riding from Fort Benton to Fort
Shaw up the great southern branch Of the
Missouri river. Three miles back from the
stream. on the level prairie, the chinook
winds and the sun of May day had melted
the snow away until eight human bodies
were uncovered. '"~i..- s. ,..~ .~.,
Eight savages in hunters outfit Eight
dark skinned, fierce browed denizens of plain
and prairie and foot hills seated in a circle,
heads down, arms folded-stiff and dead as
figures of stone. Within radius of a mile
the hot sun was rapidly uncovering the bod
les Of eight ponies-starved, shrunken and
lying with legs drawn up.
It was sight worth halting to see.
z Y .I.
n 1t is a December day, crisp and clear. The
sky is without a feck, and the sun esoftens
high noon. From the north bend of the
Marias river, within hundred miles of the
Canadian line, party of Indians set out the
day before to return to their village at Great
Falls, ON the Missouri. At noon today they
have still thirty miles to go.
Look up to the heavens and tell me if you
ever saw more serene sky on winters
day. Look to the right or the left-at the
hNv bo1f t1,asvrr
mantles-at the hare skurrying over the snow
at the distant figures of the buffaloes max
ing for the shelter of the foot hills. and tell
me if you have the least cause for anxiety?
~ LOOK OF ANXIETY.
What is its Almost in the wave of a hand
the gentle chinook wind has ceased to blow,
the heat of the sun has died away, and there
is chill in the air. The band halts. A look
of anxiety comes to every bronzed face. 1t
is not phenomenon with those hardy red
skins. They know what is coming. They
gather in circle to ask and answer few
questions, and then every face is set towards
the Missouri, and every horse is urged to the
top of his speed.
An enemy in sight2 Yes. White mem
hunters or soldierss No. To the northwest
across the three great spurs of the Rocky
mountains-across the Dominion-withn the
gateway Of the Arctic circle nature was in
travail last night. From the depths of eter-
nal ice and snow blizzard was born to be
sent forth across a great continent. 1t was
given the wings of an eagle and a mantle of
snow All night long it has been flying to the
southeast, gathering new strength as it
whirled over the gloomy mountains-increas-
ing its vigor as it swept over the frozen lakes
and bays. The redskins have ridden fast, but
the blizzard has come faster.
There comes sudden chill-the sun loses
its warmth-a haze spreads itself over the
blue sky. 1t is the warning of the blizzard.
The deadly snake rattles before it strikes.
The cruel blizzard sounds brief warming be-
fore it enwraps its victims The red men
ride fast. 1t is thirty miles to shelter-thirty
miles of treeless almost level plain. The
haze grows darker-the sun is veiled-the
chill is more keen. 1t is a vain ride Swoop-
ing down over the rocky range at their backs
in blast of fury, the blizzard rushes across
the plain like a winged demon let loose.
There are few flakes of snow, still greater
darkening of the day, and then, as a panther
leaps upon its prey, the icy storm struck the
redskins down.
THE REvELRY OF DEATH.
There are men who have encountered the
blizzard as it rushed fresh from its lair in the
Arctic circle. Those who live to tell of it
bear the scars of battle. If it is terrible to
us after it has crossed continent, losing its
force and sting at avery mile, what must it be
in its new born vigor? There is furious
whirl or snow-the darkness of night-a
bowling, screaming wind travelling faster
than anything which flies. North, east,
south, west are blotted out IN ten seconds.
The eyes of tiger could not penetrate that
whirl three feet. The panther with cub
beside bowlder ten feet away might search
for it and miss.
1t is a screaming, bowling, shrieking rev.
elry Of death, and the victims are there. The
horses stopped in their tracks at the first wild
blast. Their riders dismounted and crowded
close together.
A white man would have run hither and
thither until he fell from exhaustion. The
Indians sank down, wrapped their blankets
around them and saved their strength to die
as stoics. And thus they died. One hour of
that icy breath would have toppled over q
buffalo.
There may have been death song The
requiem was chanted by the thousand furies
circling about. There may have been fare
wells, but none lived to remember. As they
sat with bowed heads the chill of death came
to their hearts, the snow crept higher and
higher until it hid them from sight. It was g
wild burial, even for savages
%1r We will ride on. Let the suns of May un
cover the dead for those who mourn them ir
the lodges beside the Missouri-M Quad id
Detroit Free Press.
DR.. Edward Eggleston's Life.
DR.. Eggleston's mode of living is simple
He devotes three or four hours a day--no
more-to literary work. From till, as {
rule, l, he is in his library. The afternoon b,
spends in out door exercise. He is fond O.
rowing, and sometimes indulges in fishing
1t is pleasant sight to see him engaged il